Symptoms of Poor Circulation In this article, we will focus on the symptoms of poor circulation and when you should seek medical help. Signs of Poor Circulation 1. Varicose Veins If the valves in the veins of the legs are damaged, your blood will find it difficult to get back to the heart. This results in engorged veins and will eventually cause varicosities in the legs. Varicose veins are more common to those who regularly stand for long periods. 2. Painful Muscle Cramping The most common symptom of poor circulation is claudication, described as muscle discomfort or painful cramping, particularly in the legs. This is felt when you exercise or walk and usually disappears after resting your legs. The muscles that are most involved are the hips, thighs or calves. Claudication happens if there is a hindrance to the normal blood flow. For example, in atherosclerosis, where there is a buildup of cholesterol plaques in the blood vessels, the muscles cannot get enough blood during physical activity. The cramping pain is the muscle’s way of warning you that it is not getting enough blood during exercise to meet its increased demand. 3. Numbness or Weakness Reduced blood flow to different body parts may cause slow and irreversible damage to the nerves, which may be felt as tingling, numbness or weakness in that area. This is particularly alarming because having numbness on the extremities decreases your skin’s sensitivity to pain. As a result, there may be instances where your skin has already been damaged or wounded, but you cannot feel it. 4. Temperature Differences in the Extremities Poor circulation can lead to fluctuations in your skin’s temperature regulation. For example, reduced blood flow to your hands or feet may make them colder than the other parts of your body. To assess the temperature of your skin, you can use the back of your hands for a more accurate assessment. 5. Wounds That Do Not Heal or Heal Slowly Wounds heal by the different components and cells delivered through the bloodstream to the affected area. When blood flow is compromised, the healing process takes much longer and may even lead to infections. Even the slightest break in the skin may lead to catastrophic changes that could lead to amputation, especially in people with diabetes. 6. Change of Skin Color When there is insufficient blood flow, the skin may appear pale or blue (cyanosis). The change of color in the skin indicates that the oxygen-rich blood is unable to reach those tissues. The commonly affected body parts that may have this symptom are the toes, fingers, palms, soles and lips. [youmaylike] 7. Poor Hair or Nail Growth Hair and nails need the nutrients in your body to keep them healthy. Nutrients are delivered to the hair and nails through the blood. Therefore, any blockage or hindrance of the normal circulation of blood may affect the growth of healthy hair and nails, which can lead to hair loss or poor nail growth. 8. Shiny Skin on Legs Shiny skin on the legs can indicate that the skin stretched due to excess fluids in the legs. Poor circulation can cause blood pooling in the legs, resulting in fluid leakage from the blood vessels to the surrounding tissues. In turn, the skin will stretch, giving it a shiny appearance. 9. Weak Pulses When blood flow is restricted, the usual, brisk pulses on the extremities become weaker. Doctors usually include this in their physical examination to rule out any peripheral arterial disease. 10. Erectile Dysfunction in Men The penis is made up mostly of blood vessels. Penile erection happens because the arteries of the penis are filled up with blood to elongate and stiffen the organ. When there is poor circulation, blood cannot fill up the blood vessels in the penis. Most cases of impotence are a complication primarily of the arterial system. What is Poor Circulation? Poor circulation is not a condition in itself, but having any of its symptoms may indicate more serious conditions, such as: Peripheral artery disease (PAD). Uncontrolled diabetes. Blood clots. Atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty deposits in the vessels). Heart conditions. Having poor circulation may not be apparent initially. Still, whether you experience symptoms or not, it is important to be aware of them early on to help detect the underlying cause. For example, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle and obesity are all factors that increase the likelihood of a person experiencing poor circulation symptoms. In Review The symptoms of poor circulation may vary for each person. In general, conditions that cause poor circulation are easier to treat when your doctor detects it early. If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect that it may be caused by a dysfunction in your normal blood circulation, it is essential that you see your doctor for assessment and treatment right away.
Natural and Medicinal Indigestion Remedies
Having an upset stomach can really impede your daily life. While indigestion is nothing to worry about most of the time, it is a good idea to seek treatment, so you can get back to your life and get relief from the pain and discomfort. Learning about indigestion remedies can help you understand how to treat — and avoid — this very common event.
What is Indigestion?
Indigestion is an umbrella term that refers to pain or discomfort coming from your upper abdomen. Sometimes called dyspepsia, indigestion is a symptom description rather than a name for a medical condition. It’s something that many people regularly encounter — some more than others.
Depending on your indigestion’s underlying cause, you will experience the symptoms a little different from others. Common symptoms classified as indigestion include:
- Feeling prematurely full
- Feeling uncomfortably full
- Discomfort, pain, or a burning sensation in the upper abdomen
- Bloating
- Nausea or vomiting
Heartburn has high comorbidity with indigestion, although these are two different conditions.
What Causes Indigestion?
Many different circumstances and conditions cause indigestion. Often, indigestion is simply caused by dietary habits or anxiety. Overeating, eating too quickly, or ingesting too many fatty, greasy, spicy, caffeinated, or chocolate foods may also be blamed. Certain medications can also increase the chances of experiencing mild indigestion.
In cases where indigestion is consistent and cannot be explained by lifestyle habits or medication, a health condition may be responsible. Common health conditions resulting in indigestion include (but are not limited to) ulcers, gallstones, constipation, pancreatitis, cancer, stomach inflammation (gastritis), celiac disease, or intestinal ischemia. Although most cases of indigestion are nothing to worry about, some of these underlying conditions are serious and should be discussed with your physician.
Indigestion Treatments and Remedies
While you can always discuss any medical concerns with your primary care physician, there are a few simple things to try to alleviate indigestion at home.
Doctors advise you to start by making lifestyle changes. Avoiding foods that serve as triggers to indigestion is a crucial step to take. This means reducing spicy and fatty foods correlated with digestive problems. Eliminating alcoholic drinks and caffeinated things like coffee or chocolate is also a step in the right direction.
Some individuals try changing their meals. Instead of having the traditional three large meals a day, those suffering from indigestion opt to break the same amount of food down into five or six different meals. Taking additional measures to reduce stress and anxiety can also help alleviate the discomfort and distress.
If you believe it is a side effect of medication, try to substitute the medication you are using. Certain pain relievers, such as Advil and Motrin, are known for instigating an upset stomach. Your doctor can help you find something that works.
There are several different over-the-counter medications you can try to get symptom relief. If the problems persist, a doctor can help develop a treatment plan that includes prescription medications that may directly or indirectly treat symptoms. Such medications include:
- Proton pump inhibitors: PPIs may help reduce stomach acid that contributes to indigestion. It also helps treat other symptoms that may coexist with indigestion, such as heartburn.
- H2 blockers (H2RAs): This medication may help reduce excessive stomach acid that may instigate indigestion.
- Antibiotics: Some indigestion is the result of bacteria in the stomach. Doctors may recommend antibiotics to help with this.
- Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication: If your symptoms are the result of uncontrollable stress, antidepressants may help reduce the discomfort from indigestion.
When to See a Doctor
Occasional indigestion is perfectly normal in everyday life. In most cases, indigestion does not warrant a visit to the doctor. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, a doctor’s visit is recommended. As symptoms may be a sign of a more serious, underlying health condition, it’s important to talk to your doctor whenever you have any questions or concerns.
Seeing a physician is especially important if you experience indigestion with any of the following symptoms:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Repeated vomiting
- Black stool
- Problems swallowing
Seek immediate medical attention if you have:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath, sweating, or chest pain radiating to the jaw, neck, or arm
Remember, your doctor is there to help you. They are trained medical professionals that can offer expert advice and give you the treatment you need.